Exercising apparatus



vJuly l5, 1969 c. KELLOGG 3,455,295

` EXERCISING APPARATUS I NVENTUR. LANGDON C. KELLOGG BY j ATToR EY July15, 1969 c. KELLOGG 3,455,295

EXERCI S ING APPARATUS LANVGDON C. KELLOGG -TOR Y United States Patent O3,455,295 EXERCISING APPARATUS Langdon C. Kellogg, Madeira Beach, Fla.,assignor to Kelloggs Health Products Inc., St. Petersburg, Fla., acorporation of Florida Filed June 13, 1966, Ser. No. 557,154 Int. Cl.A61h 1/ 02; A63b 21/00 U.S. Cl. 12S-25 21 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE This invention relates to an exercising apparatus, or devicefor manipulating many parts of the human body which may benefit from themotions imparted thereto by the device.

The device of the invention comprises principally a frame to be poisedover a couch or bed which supports a person in supine position, so thatthe person may reach upwardly with the arms and legs grasping orcontacting a hand crank and a foot crank, both drivable by means of avariable-speed electric motor. In a preferred form of the device, meansmay be provided for adjusting the reach distance to the cranks, so thatpersons of different statures may receive the benefits of themanipulation, with respect to the degree of stretching induced in thearms and legs.

The device may be made tractional, if desired, enabling it to be easilymoved from one hospital bed to another, the bed fitting within theconfines of the frame while the user rests upon the bed. In thoseinstances wherein the user may be physically unable to grasp the handcrank, or maintain his feet upon the foot crank, means may be `providedfor securing the hands and/ or feet to the cranks during themanipulation period. For home use, the device may be poised over anyordinary cot or single bed properly cushioned or mattressed to supportthe user at an elevation best suited to him or her.

An object of the invention is to provide a highly effective andbeneficial exercising apparatus for persons requiring physical therapyof the kind offered by the apparatus.

l Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of thecharacter stated, which includes means for adjusting the extent andseverity of manipulation to the requirements of the user, and fordirecting the manipulations to selected portions of the body as may berequired.

Another object is to provide a device of the character stated, which maybe constructed -economically to incorporate the elements of safety,durability, and serviceability, using standardized and readily availablestructural parts which easily and quickly may be assembled withoutskilled labor.

A further object is to provide an improved exercising device which isadapted for institutional or home use, with little or no modification ofstructural design.

The foregoing and other objects are attained by the means describedherein and illustrated upon the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the exercising apparatus poised over acot or bed.

ice

FIG. 2 is a fragmental perspective view` showing the foot end of theapparatus. Y

FIG. 3 is a fragmental perspective view showingfthe hand end of theapparatus.

With reference to the drawings, the numeral 6 indicates generally asubstantially rectangular, light-Weight frame constructed preferably ofaluminum pipel sections and fittings and dimensioned to embrace a cot orbed `8 upon which a person may recline in supine position, FIGS. 2 and3. The pairs of upright legs or corner posts 10 and 12 supporting theframe may be equipped with rollers or casters 14to provide for easymobility of the apparatus, or if desired, feet 16 may be applied to oneor both pairs of legs. It is usually desirable to provide for suchmobility as will enable an attendant to easily advance the frame bodilyendwise over the cot or bed, particularly when the apparatus is used inhospitals or other institutions serving groups of persons or patients.The legs braces 18 may be adjustable as to elevation so that the framemay be advanced or retracted over a cot or bed while supporting thepatient. l

Extending lengthwise of the apparatus is a pair of spaced parallel lowerrails 20, and a pair of spaced parallel upper rails 22. The lower railsare held rigid by the braces 18, while the uppermost braces 24 rigidlyspace and support the upper rails 22. Connections between the rails andbraces may be effected by slip-fittings 26 and 28, each securable to theframe parts by means of set screws 30. Fittings 26 are T-fittings whichmay be adjustably secured along the length of the frame uprights 10 and12. The fittings 28 are T-elbow fittings receptive of the uprights andthe upper rails and braces 22, 24. The reference numerals 32 indicatetypical leg structures of the cot or bed 8.

Opposite ends of the lower side rails 20 are provided with T-ttings 34,similar to fittings 26, whereby the height of the lower side rails maybe adjusted if desired.

At opposite sides of the frame are located pairs of upright or inclinedcrank support members 36 and 38, which may be in the form of pipesections each adjustably connected at its opposite ends to an upper anda lower side rail. Each crank support member may carry a slider 40 whichis iixable at selected positions along the length of a crank supportmember, as by means of set v screws or equivalent fasteners 42. Thesliders carry bearings 44 in which are journalled the opposite ends ofthe double cranks 46 and 48. By virtue of the several adjustablesliders, the elevation of the cranks may be adjusted to suit thephysical characteristics of different person using the exerciser.

Each crank support member 36 or 38 may carry at its kopposite ends afitting 50 provided With a pivot 52.. The pivot 52 provides a pivotalconnection between each fitting 50 and a slider which is adjustablelengthwise of the frame. The sliders for the crank support members aredenoted by reference characters 54 and 56, the sliders 54 bein-gselectively fixable` along the length of lower side rails 20, and thesliders 56 being selectively fixable along the length of upper siderails 22. Adjustable fixation of the sliders upon rails 20 and 22 may beeffected by means of set screws 58 or equivalent fasteningdevices.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the position of either orboth of the cranks 46 and 48 may be Vadjusted vertically andhorizontally, to suit the requirements of various individuals using theexerciser. It is possible, of course, to eliminate the adjustabilityfeature of either crank, should such modification be considereddesirable. In the form of the device illustrated, both of the crankslare adjustable, crank 46 accommodating the hands of the user, whilecrank 48 accommodates the users feet.

Cranks 46 and 48 may be provided with driving means, for example, anelectric motor 60 incorporating a speed reduction gear box 62 which bymeans of a pulley, drives a pulley 64 fixed upon the shaft of crank 48.The drive may be effected by way of a belt 66 or equivalent means.Pulley 64 may be a double pulley, over which is trained a second belt 68in driving relationship with a pulley 70 fixed upon the shaft of crank46. Thus, the cranks may b3 rotated in unison, and `in synchronism, bythe motor 6 The operation of motor 60 may be controlledk by aconventional rheostat or other speed control means,7,2 connected in themotor circuit, preferably in conjunction with a conventional -timer 74.yBy this means, the speed of rotation of cranks 46 and 48 may begoverned, and the duration of the motor drive may be limited orcontrolled to suit the requirements of the user.

To use the device as illustrated by FIG. 1, the person requiringtreatment may rest uponl the cot or bed 8 in supine position, with hishands grasping the crank 46, and with his feet firmly planted upon theloops of crank 48. The motor may then be started, thereby to inducemovement of the legs and arms of the user. The extent of arm and legmovements will be governed by the speed of motor 60, and the reach asdetermined by the vertical and horizontal adjustments of the cranks. Ifcrank 46, for example, -is lowered within easy reach of the user, 'acomparatively gentle manipulation of the users arms will result. Shouldthe crank 46 be adjusted to a higher elevation, the crank may actuallylift the users shoulders to enforce manipulation of the muscles andtendons in the neck, back, chest and other upper regions of the usersbody.

Adjustments of the foot crank likewise may be resorted to, fordetermining the nature and the extent of manipulation to be afforded thelegs and intermediate regions of the body, as will be understood.

I-f desired, the apparatus may be used without energization of motor 60,so that the user may expend considerable effort in rotating the cranks,the motor and gear box then acting as a brake opposing actuation of thecranks. The braking action, if desired, may be modified in such cases byoperating the motor at a slow speed, as determined by control means 72.

In some instances, the user may be physically unable to grasp and holdthe crank 46, or to maintain his feet in firm contact with crank 48. Insuch cases, the means of FIGS. 2 and 3 may be employed, consisting ofmitts 78 for the hands, or shoes 80 for the feet, having connection withthe respective cranks. The soles of shoes 80 may have fixed thereto asleeve 82 which holds the shoe upon the crank at all times, so that bylacing the users foot into the shoe, the leg is forced to follow themotion of the crank. The mitt 78 will accommodate the users hand, andmay include a lacing 84 and a tongue 86 arranged to tie the mitt aboutthe hand-grasp portion of the crank, thereby enforcing movement of theusers arm with the crank.

Reverting to FIG. 1, it is noted that belt 68 may be provided with atensioning device, to compensate for any slack in the belt resultingfrom adjusting the position of crank 46. A belt tensioner of anysuitable type may be employed. By way of example, the tensioner maycomprise an idler pulley 88 in contact with the belt, the pulley beingmounted upon a bar 90 which may be fixed at various elevations within afitting 92 mounted upon one of the rails 22, to tension the belt.

A tensioning means for drive belt 66 may be provided, if necessary. Suchtensioning means may be similar to that of belt 68, or if preferred, theadjustable slide fitting 94 which supports the motor and -gear box, maybe fixed at proper position upon an upright of the frame, to maintainthe necessary belt tension. If the drive for the cranks utilizes chainand sprocket transmission, or transmission .means of other types,tensioning devices may be dispensed with. The transmission apparatuswill of course be enclosed by proper guards, not shown, in the interestof safety.

It may here be noted that the length of end braces 18 and 24,'and thelength of side rails 20 and 22, may be altered if necessary, foraccommodating the frame to different bed or cot sizes. Many of thestructural elements of the frame' may be formed of aluminum or otherlightweight material, to facilitate transport and handling of theapparatus.

` The device of the invention will be found highly effective to impartto the human body the benefits of increased Iblood circulation,stimulated muscle tone, and tension relaxation, all of which may beexpected to result in a healthful condition of the body.

In conclusion, it is to be understood that various modifications andchanges may be made in the structural details of the apparatus, withinthe scope of the appended claims, without departing from the spirit ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An exercising device for disposition about a bed upon which avpersonreclines in supine position, said device comprising in combination, aframe; an open portion on the frame dimensioned to accommodate the fullwidth of a conventional bed supportive of a person so reclined; a doublecrank supported upon the frame above the bed level in position to bereached and contacted by the extremities of a person reclining upon thebed; means supporting the ends of the crank for rotation aboutrasubstantially horizontal axis above and transversely of the bed, thecrank being movable in correspondency with movements of the humanextremities held in contact therewith.

2. The device as specified by claim 1, wherein is included motor-drivenmeans for rotating the crank about the axis thereof, for inducingmanipulation of the human extremities in contact with the crank.

3. The device as specified by claim 2, wherein is included means forvarying the distance between the bed and the axis of rotation of thecrank.

4. The device as specied by claim 3, wherein the combination includesmeans for predetermining the speed of rotation of the crank.

5. The device as specified by claim 4, wherein is included means forattaching the extremities temporarily to the crank, for enforcingmovement of the extremities in correspondency with movement of thecrank.

6. The device as specified by claim 2, wherein is included means forvarying the location of the crank axis with respect to its distance fromone end of the bed.

7. The device as specified by claim 2, wherein is included means forvarying the distance between the bed and the axis of rotation of thecrank; and means for varying the location of the crank axis with respectto its distance from one end of the bed.

8. The device as specified by claim 1, wherein the frame is dimensionedfor endwise advancement about the bed, to a position of containment atwhich the crank overlies the bed.

9. An exercising device for association with a bed upon which a personreclines in supine position, said device comprising in combination: aportable frame having an open portion whereby the frame may be advancedalong a floor and about the bed to contain the bed; a pair of doublecranks each having opposite ends; bearing means on the framerotationally supporting the cranks above the bed near opposite ends ofthe bed, with the axes of rotation of the cranks disposed in spacedsubstantial parallelism with one another transversely of the bed;electric motor driven means for rotating the cranks; and means forpositioning and securing the bearing means for at least one of thecranks, at predetermined distances above the plane of the bed.

10. The device as specified by claim' 9, wherein is included means forpositioning and securing said bearing means for said one crank, atvarious selected distances from one end of the frame.

11. The device as specied by claim 9, wherein is included, means forpredetermining the speed of rotation of the cranks, and the duration ofthe operating period of said motor driven means.

12. The device as specified by claim 9, wherein the portable frameincludes a pair of horizontal lower side rails, and a pair of horizontalupper side rails; means supporting the upper side rails in spacedrelation to the lower side rails, and at an elevation above the plane ofthe bed; the last-mentioned means of claim comprising a pair of cranksupport members near one end of the frame; said crank support memberseach having opposite ends, of which one is adjustable along an upperside rail, and the other is adjustable along a lower side rail, saidcrank support members constituting mounts for the adjustable bearingmeans for said one crank.

13. The device as specied by claim 12, wherein the open portion of theportable frame is located at one end of said frame, and the distancebetween the upper side rails and the distance between the lower siderails, exceeds the width dimension of the bed.

14. The device as specified by claim 13, wherein is included, means forpredetermining the speed of rotation of the cranks.

15. The device as specified by claim 14, wherein is included, means forpredetermining and automatically limiting the duration of the operatingperiod of said motor driven means.

16. The device as specified by claim 9, wherein is included means fortemporarily attaching the hands to one crank, and the feet to the othercrank, of a person reclining upon the bed.

17. The device as specified by claim 15, wherein is included means fortemporarily attaching to at least one of the cranks, a pair of theextremities of a person reclining upon the bed.

18. The device as specified by claim 12, wherein the lower side railsare adjustable as to elevation upon the portable frame, and said frameincludes end braces which are vertically adjustable to positions abovethe height of the bed.

19. An exercising device for disposition about a bed upon which a personreclines in supine position, said device comprising in combination aframe; said frame having an open end to accommodate the width and theheight of the bed, whereby the frame may be advanced along a floorendwise about the bed, to a position of bedcontainment; a double cranksupported upon the frame above and overlying a portion of the bed inposition to be reached and contacted by the extremities of a personreclining upon the bed; motor-driven means for rotating the crank aboutthe axis thereof in correspondency with movements of the humanextremities held in contact therewith, for inducing manipulation of saidhuman extremities in contact with the crank; and means for varying thelocation of the crank axis with respect to its distance from one end ofthe bed.

20. An exercising device for exercising the extremities of a personreclining upon a lbed in supine position, said device comprising incombination: a frame comprising upright legs, substantially horizontalupper and lower elongate rails extending laterally from said legs in acommon direction and in substantial parallelism one with the other; adouble crank having opposite end portions; a pair of elongate cranksupport members each having an upper end and a lower end, each of saidcrank support members extending substantially from a lower rail to anupper rail; sliders adjustable lengthwise along each lower rail, andother sliders adjustable lengthwise along each upper rail; meansconnecting the upper end of each crank support member to an upper railslider, and means connecting the lower end of each crank support memberto a lower rail slider; means for xing the sliders to their respectiverails in adjusted positions along the length of their respective rails;a pair of bearing members each including a bearing slider movablelengthwise along the crank support members to various levelsintermediate an upper rail and a lower rail; a bearing carried by eachbearing member slider and supporting for rotation the opposite endportions of the double crank; and motor drive means for rotating saiddouble crank in said bearings.

21. The exercising device as specified by claim 20, wherein the uprightlegs of the frame are spaced apart a distance exceeding the width of aconventional hospital bed to be accommodated therebetween.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 710,689 10/1902 Hickey 12S-25 XR2,484,153 10/1949 Chaudoir 272-73 2,630,332 3/1953 Pettijohn 272-73 XR2,648,330 8/1953 Clark 128-25 L. W. TRAPP, Primary Examiner Us. C1. X.R.272-58, 73

